SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program was developed by Policy Research Associates (PRA) to address the common barrier that homeless people who have disabilities have as they try to gain benefit entitlements such as Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance.    PRA reports that the national success rate on initial applications for SSI and SSDI for all applicants is 37% but only 11% of the homeless population is estimated to receive SSI.  SOAR is a training program for direct service workers who, once trained, understand Disability Determination Services and Social Security Administration’s requirements and the need for appropriate documentation, decreasing the time to issue determinations and reducing the need for appeals.    

The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services’ Division of Disability and Behavioral Health Services-Mental Health in partnership with the Division of Human Services of Sedgwick County, COMCARE of Sedgwick County and Wyandot Center for Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. are holding SSI/SSDSI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) direct service worker trainings to increase access to SSI/SSDI for people with disabilities, especially persons who are homeless. The trainings are free. The trainings will be from 8:30-4:30 each day and they will be:

  • August 23-24, 2010 – Area Mental Health Center, 3000 N. 14th Street, Dodge City, KS
  • September 27-28, 2010 - North Central Chapter of the American Red Cross, 145 S. Broadway Boulevard, Salina, KS
  • October 20-21, 2010 – Ramada Inn, 3603 Vine St. (I-70 at Exit 159), Hays, KS
  • October 25-26, 2010 – Sedgwick County Division of Human Services, 635 Main St., Wichita, KS
  • February 3-4, 2011 – Wyandot Center for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., 1301 N. 47th St., Kansas City, KS 66101
  • April 7-8, 2011 – Manhattan, KS (location to be determined)

Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition will notify you of other SOAR trainings scheduled throughout the year. View the 2010-2011 trainings here!!

Please email or fax SOAR Across Kansas FY 11 Registration form to Diana Marsh at 785-296-6142 or diana.marsh@srs.ks.gov  three weeks prior to the training you wish to attend. Registration is required.